The UNC football program picked up a big road win on Saturday at Miami, improving to 5-1 on the season and may have found another weapon to utilize moving forward.
Running back [autotag]Caleb Hood[/autotag] came into this year with high expectations to add depth and versatility to the backfield. After 22 carries for 97 yards and one touchdown in 2021, there wasn’t an expectation that he would be the lead back, however.
But, once British Brooks went down in fall camp with an injury, it was clear that Hood would be a significant part of the offense.
After a lackluster first few weeks which resulted in just two games with more than five carries, he turned in a 13-carry for 74-yard outing against the Hurricanes.
He was also utilized as a pass catcher, adding five receptions for 50 yards.
“I thought Caleb (Hood) made some outstanding runs tonight,” UNC head coach Mack Brown said postgame.
Hood has proven to be an effective runner when he’s been in the game. The biggest issue has been with his health. He missed one game earlier this season and then sat out most of UNC’s 18-play drive in the fourth quarter on Saturday after taking a big hit after a physical run.
While Hood was North Carolina’s leading rushing on Saturday, he still only had the third-most carries for the offense.
On the season, Hood has totaled 32 carries for 208 yards. His 6.4 yards per carry are first on the team among players with at least 10 carries.
His 84 receiving yards are also most among the UNC running backs.
While Omarion Hampton — the Tar Heels’ leading rusher on the season — looks to still have a large role in this offense, the versatility that Hood provides as a dual-threat rusher and pass catcher will surely give him more snaps and touches moving forward.
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